The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1887-03-16
NlISSHAPEN IDEAS.
BUILDERS SHOW A LEANING TOWARD
MEANINGLESS ORNAMENT.

MEANINGLESS ORNAMENT.
An Architect Who Regrets the Increase
of Buildings of Grotesque Design--A
Few Words in Favor of Simple Glass
steal Forms.
Any one of an observing mind may
have noticed the'widely different styles OF
architecture in the upper portions Of the
city and in those localities down town
where old buildings have given place to
new. Whether this diversity will eventu-
ally beautify the city is a question for
our architects to ponder. Mr.. Edward
H. Kendall, the architect, has very clear
and sensible ideas upon this subject To
a reporter he said:
'"The recent enormous increase in the
building industry makes the considera-
tion of architectural forms an important
matter. In New York we see at present
a wider divergence from old methods
than ever before in the history of the
city. 1t seems as if our architects were
trying to Guido each other in the produc-
ton of grotesque ideas. Upon the west
side this is especially noticeable. Here
we have tumble of ornamentatiOn, an
excess of strange forms which l do not
consider in good taste"
"Then you are not an admirer of the
new styles employed by our builders?"
Gin many instances consider them ex
travagant and i'll suited to the purposes
for which they were designed. l think
New Workers are already sorry for haY-
ing gone to such extremes. Purity of
taste, which is Synonymous with sim
plicity of style, will always be the under
lying permanent element in architecture,
and we see even now many extremely
beautiful buildings in process of con-
StructiOn."
"Wha are the principles that govern
the changes of form which occur in archi-
lecturer
''The same law that governs all human
institutions; the love &C variety, the law
of fashion. In New York we can dis
tinctly trace several different building
epochs First the Dutch and colonial.
which is marked by it's extreme simplic-
ity. This is a reflection of the simple
lives of the people. Then follows the
brick and brown stone front epoch and
lastly the diversity of styles which marks
the present time"
SIMPLE, CLASSICAL FORMS.
''What are the most prevalent forms
now in uSe?''
'That would be difficult to answer
Many buildings are constructed after
Moorish patterns; others are italian.
French, Gothic and Queen Anne designs;
but for the most part mixed style is in
use which can hardly lie classed in any
category. | an q firm believer in simple,
classical forms adapted 10 the uses of the
buildings to be constructed. Thus l
would not use the same ornamentation in
the building of a church rs in the con-
struction of a private dwelling or Office
structure
"Do you consider the blocks up town
more beautiful than the rows of mOnot-
onOus brick and brown stone in the CEN
trail portion of the city?'
In one way, yes. 1t is always pleas
ing when looking down street to see the
sky line broken, and in this respect our
uptown blocks, with their variety of tur-
rets and peaked fronts have fine effect.
When spoke disparagingly Of them was
considering the houses individually not
in masses. Another remarkably good
effect is produced by placing the greatest
OrnamentatiOn upon the corners of the
blocks. For example, the building occu-
pied bya silver manufacturing company on
Broadway has been much admired for it's
turret, which you know rises from the side
walk at the street corner. At present we
have strong leaning toward meaningless
ornamentatiOn, but the past has proved
CHCO ClcIS 10 always I'll ulUeIlOn6 OF EOOQ
taste which will eventually triumph
Look at the grOtesque forms prevailing
in France under Louis XIV, and the still
more fantastic designs of the times Of
Louis XIV and XVI, yet the good TASTE
of the people finally revolted against
these ideas. 1t is the same with dress
Fashion is continually swerving away
from correct taste into peculiar notions,
and as continually returning to the
straight line. OF course in architecture
the changes are not as rapid, for brick
and stone are very different things from
silk and satin. We generally find that in
times of affected and incorrect taste the
will be faulty"
"ShOuld not the architects be blamed
for this?''
''Not altogether. They are very much
by the ideas of their patrons
To be sure there are many who do not
understand the principles of their art, but
should lay the blame more to the pre-
vailing spirit of the times. Remember |
The architecture of the Greeks and |
Romans. How consistent it was with |
5he simple and beautiful taste shown in
5he life of those peoples. New York